Sterling Electronics. What's the history behind this audio brand?

[Saffire]

Hello! Created an account on here because of this stereo. I'm truly stumped about the history of this unit.

https://imgur.com/gallery/3Uq16LS

The only identification on this stereo is the big STERLING badge on the front. No model numbers, serial codes, etc. The rear of the stereo contains FCC compliance rules, a "120v 60hz 0.15a" power rating, and a Made in Japan badge.

Now, about the sound quality. The volume knob is very, very scratchy. All pots need a thorough cleaning. There's also a constant low frequency hum, possibly due to the antique power supply capacitor. It's only noticeable when trying to listen to it through headphones. Regardless of all that, the sound quality is really good! I'd say it's on par, or even a little bit better sounding than my 1.8 WPC Realistic SA-150. However, there's no wattage ratings on this Sterling, nor can I find anything about harmonic distortion. It definitely has more than 2 watts since it gets a lot louder than the Realistic. I can't find anything about Sterling on the internet, either. Nada. Nothing. It's like it never existed.

 

[Pio1980]

Internal pic would help, tho it looks like the store badge brand units common in the 1960s-1970s.

 

[quiet]

1970 to 1975. Made in Japan. About ten watts. They made it with an 8-track also.

 

[Johnno_Oz]

Looks like Sterling Electronics had 40 stores at one stage. The company was based in Texas, old headquarters in Grapevine are now a Gamestop refurbishment centre.

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/sterling-electronics-corp-history/

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth499537/m1/8/

 

[electronjohn]

Almost looks like a rebadged Miida.

 

[quiet]

Or Rheem Roberts?

 

[mitchalee]

Here are a few pictures of various costly luxurious oddities and one parfticular MYSTERIOUS HIGH QUALITY LOUDSPEAKER - The Westminster, Cathedral Sound Systems by Sterling, Pt. NO 82-0500

The Westminster Sterling Audio Cathedral end table loudspeakers:

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...sterling-by-westminster-loudspeakers.1027520/

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?tags/westminster-loudspeaker/

https://www.stereophile.com/content/cathedral-speakers

https://vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=134113

https://offerup.com/item/detail/234653939

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/12kek0x

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/sterling-speakers.38232/

https://sterlingaudio.net/accessories/

https://sterlingaudio.net/

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/sterling-electronics-corp-history/

https://www.facebook.com/MarchioMitch/posts/pfbid031SizEZYiQsKLeWKyLKgeP872132fHT8pz1y7cp8Rcqni35mAKxW7khckyuGC9eSzl

A mystery from lost worlds of enterprising loudspeaker makers. I would not be interested except that about 40 years ago, Bud Webster advised me to be on the lookout for a pair. Finally found them at Plan9 Records for $285 a while back. Thought the price seemed steep, I paid it. The Cathedrals turned out to be appealing and interesting loudspeakers. The closest sound is a good pair of Warfedale W70 speakers, probably from the same period, late 60s early 70s. Efficient and very "confident" sounding. I have no other words for their sound other than, perhaps, the strange sense that are always playing with effortless smoothness.

Anyway, if you know anything more about them, I'd appreciate comments.